NCAA grounds aircraft, suspends pilots after Asaba runway incident

Pilots involved in a recent incident at Asaba airport face a ban from Nigerian airspace as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) launches an investigation. NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo confirmed that both the pilot-in-command and the second-in-command have been suspended, and the aircraft involved has been grounded.

Najomo, speaking at the Airport Business Summit in Lagos, described the suspension as a necessary precautionary measure to ensure a thorough investigation. He noted that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had transferred the matter to the NCAA for its own inquiry. The NCAA's investigation is ongoing, and the aircraft will remain grounded while the pilots are barred from flying in Nigerian airspace.

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The aircraft is grounded, and the pilots are suspended from flying in this airspace until we conclude our investigation.

Expressing surprise at the circumstances, Najomo, a pilot with 45 years of experience, stated that mistaking a road for a runway is highly unusual. "As a pilot for 45 years, one does not see a road and land on the road. We will look at every possible motive and factor surrounding the incident," he said. The State Security Services are also involved in determining the cause of the incident.

The suspension and grounding will remain in effect until the investigations conclude and appropriate regulatory actions are decided. Najomo also revealed that the operator's permit for non-commercial flights has been suspended. He reaffirmed the NCAA's dedication to upholding safety standards and enhancing regulatory oversight within Nigeria's aviation sector.

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As a pilot for 45 years, one does not see a road and land on the road. We will look at every possible motive and factor surrounding the incident.